Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Global Cervical Cancer Elimination and Control Policy Analysis (146340)

Amelia Hyatt 1 2 3 4 , Karen Canfell 5 , Rob Moodie 3 , Claire Nightingale 3 , Claire Bavor 3 , Telma Costa 5 , Carol Naidu 5 , Sanchia Aranda 2
  1. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Centre for Health Services Research in Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Cancer Elimination Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Introduction

As countries progress towards the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 cervical cancer elimination targets, governments are increasingly developing cervical cancer elimination and control plans. However, it is unknown whether these policies adequately reflect available evidence or appropriate and sustainable elimination planning and activity. This study aimed to analyse all current global policy associated with the control and elimination of cervical cancer to determine coverage of essential information.

Method

A mixed-methods approach was employed, with policy data extracted using Covidence, then exported into Microsoft Excel for analysis. Analysis was completed using the Cervical Cancer Elimination Planning and Assessment Tool (CCEPAT) recently developed by our team. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and proportions) were employed to quantitatively summarise and score individual policy alignment against CCEPAT items. Scoring was also aggregated both across and within policies by domains, goals and implementation facilitators, and plans compared against human development index (HDI) category, and plan type.

Results

A total of 30 plans were identified globally, inclusive of 24 national policies and 6 regional plans. Notably, aggregate policy data demonstrated that less than 50% of policies documented all recommended information per WHO guidance literature. On average, plans included greater details regarding cervical screening and prevention programs and services, than information on treatment, palliative care, or survivorship. Individual country scores demonstrated high reporting of goals, however routinely excluded necessary details to implement into practice.

Implications

Global policy assessment of national and regional cervical cancer elimination and control plans revealed important patterns in reporting of key information, including gaps in core cervical cancer control planning and actions to support implementation. Comparison of individual policies revealed differences in scope and focus, potentially associated with level of health system development. Findings will be important to support ongoing policy development and use.